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Business Ethernet Services
Connect your sites with dedicated Business Ethernet
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- Trusted Business Ethernet providers
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- Dedicated private circuit
What is Business Ethernet?
Business Ethernet is a wide-area networking service created for organisations that operate across multiple sites.
It provides a dedicated circuit that forms the core of your private business network, delivering consistent performance for high-demand applications.
Here is what it includes:
Dedicated private circuit
Business Ethernet gives you a private and uncontended circuit that links your locations directly into the provider’s core fibre network. All that is required is access to the provider network, which is available in most urban, commercial and industrial areas.
Guaranteed bandwidth and SLAs
You receive fixed bandwidth that is not shared with other users, along with strict service level agreements that protect uptime and keep performance stable throughout the day.
Multi-site reach
The service supports long-distance connections, both nationally and internationally, making it suitable for linking offices, warehouses, remote teams, and hosted applications within a single private network.
Business Ethernet services
Business Ethernet services can be structured in different ways depending on how your sites communicate. These network designs, known as topologies, support various business operations.
Here are the main Business Ethernet topologies.
E Line
A point-to-point or point-to-multipoint service that links one site directly to another or from one central hub to several branch locations. Ideal for simple site-to-site connectivity.
E LAN
A multipoint network where every site can communicate with each other. Suitable for businesses using shared internal tools, cloud storage and collaboration platforms.
E Tree
A hub-and-spoke arrangement where a central site connects to multiple branch sites. Branch sites communicate with the hub but not with each other. Useful when access to central systems is needed without inter-branch traffic.
E Access
A wholesale extension of the above topologies that allows national or international reach using the provider’s wider fibre infrastructure.
Business Ethernet providers
The Business Ethernet providers listed below are also some of the largest business broadband providers.
When selecting one, it is important to consider network availability at your locations and the reliability guarantees included in the service level agreements.
BT Business
BT Business is one of the largest broadband and network operators in the United Kingdom. Their Ethernet services provide strong uptime, nationwide reach and scalable options supported by robust service level agreements.
Virgin Media Business
Virgin Media Business offers fibre-based Ethernet connections with fast speeds and extensive coverage in urban and commercial areas. Their network is well-suited to businesses that need high-capacity connectivity in towns and cities.
Vodafone Business
Vodafone Business delivers high-speed Ethernet using an advanced fibre and IP network. Their infrastructure supports reliable connectivity across many regions and is designed for heavy data usage and cloud-driven operations.
Business Ethernet pricing
Ethernet pricing varies depending on your network design and can vary widely depending on the requirements of each site.
Although prices are not listed publicly, several key factors influence how much your service will cost. Speak to one of our networking experts who will provide a tailored quote based on your exact network design and site requirements.
Here are the key factors impacting Business Ethernet pricing:
Speed requirements
Higher bandwidth services cost more. Entry-level speeds start at 100 Mbps, and many businesses use 1 Gbps as standard. High-capacity options can reach up to 100 Gbps for organisations with heavy data usage.
Type of Ethernet
The price differs depending on the type of service you need. E Line, E LAN and E Access products each support different network structures and performance levels, which influence the overall cost.
Distance
The further the distance between connected locations, the higher the cost due to the additional use of infrastructure.
Installation fees
If new fibre routes or additional infrastructure are required, installation charges may apply. This varies depending on the current network availability at each site.
Contract length
Longer contracts typically benefit from lower monthly rates and provide better overall value.
Location
Costs are higher for rural locations where network infrastructure is limited and connections need upgrades that require engineering work.
How businesses use Ethernet
Business Ethernet improves connectivity between cloud services and hosted platforms. It provides the performance, reliability and security needed for businesses that depend on real-time communication and consistent access to data.
Here are the different ways businesses use Ethernet.
Private networks
Many organisations use Ethernet to connect offices, warehouses and remote sites into a single, unified private network. This provides secure internal communication, file sharing and operational visibility while maintaining low latency across locations.
Data centre integration
Ethernet can link business sites directly to the physical data centres hosting apps, servers and storage, which improves their performance and security.
Cloud service integration
Businesses connect to cloud platforms such as VoIP services, CRM systems or cloud computing environments through dedicated Ethernet routes, ensuring stable performance for all sites using the same cloud service.
Backup and disaster recovery
Business Ethernet supports rapid data replication between locations, which helps deliver data redundancy, smooth backup routines and strong business continuity across your network.
IoT networks
Factories, warehouses and retail environments use Ethernet to support smart devices and sensor-based systems. The low latency and reliability make it ideal for Internet of Things networks.
Low-latency operations
Sectors such as finance, logistics and e-commerce rely on Business Ethernet when they require real-time transaction processing, fast data movement or high bandwidth performance across multiple locations.
The difference between Business Ethernet and other Ethernet network solutions
Understanding how Business Ethernet differs from other dedicated fibre services helps you choose the right network for your organisation. The table below compares the three most common Ethernet connectivity types.
| Feature | Business Ethernet | Point-to-Point leased line | Leased line broadband |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Links various sites, data centres and cloud services | Links two sites (point-to-point) | Connects a site to the public internet |
| Internet access | Optional. An Internet breakout can be added for all sites | Optional. An Internet breakout can be added at each site | Yes. Direct dedicated internet access |
| Use cases | High performance, private for multi-site networks, enterprise cloud access, shared systems, centralised security and routing | High performance, private connectivity between two sites for synchronisation, systems sharing or in-house systems | Everyday business internet, cloud apps, VoIP, email and hosted services |
| Bandwidth | Dedicated, symmetrical | Dedicated, symmetrical | Dedicated, symmetrical |
| Ethernet compatibility | Yes. Forms the basis of E Line, E LAN, E Tree and E Access networks | Yes. Delivered using the Ethernet protocol and can operate as an E Line | Yes. Uses Ethernet at the handoff but provides internet access only, not Ethernet site-to-site connectivity |
Business Ethernet links many sites in one private network, a point-to-point leased line links only two sites together, and a leased line broadband connection links a single site to the internet, even though all three use Ethernet technology in different ways.
How to get Business Ethernet
Getting Business Ethernet is straightforward; our team manages all the technical surveys, engineering work and provider coordination behind the scenes. Here’s what you need to do:
Fill in your details above
Simply enter your details above to speak to our network specialists. They will check availability, bandwidth options and the best Business Ethernet services for your locations.
Review your tailored quote
Our experts will prepare an initial Business Ethernet quote that highlights the best options for your site, along with the key installation points and expected performance. If your setup is more complex, we may follow up with a quick technical check to confirm the details before issuing the final quote.
Sign your contract to get connected
Once everything is agreed, sign your contract and we’ll coordinate the full delivery, including carrier surveys, engineering works, installation dates and service activation, to ensure your sites are brought online as efficiently as possible.
Why businesses choose us for Business Ethernet services
Here is why businesses trust us with their connectivity.
Expert network design for every site
Our experienced network experts assess your locations, usage and operational requirements to design the Business Ethernet network that fits your organisation.
Trusted Business Ethernet provider
We work with leading UK fibre networks, which allows us to present the best options available for your specific locations and performance needs.
Fast tailored quotes
We issue bespoke Business Ethernet quotes at every step of procurement to ensure you never lose track of pricing. This way, you will have granular visibility of price evolution as the scope of deployment narrows.
Business Ethernet coverage
Business Ethernet can support anything from a local office cluster to a national or global network. Coverage depends on the distribution of your sites and the provider’s fibre presence.
Here is how coverage works:
Metropolitan
Connects multiple business sites and data centres (cloud services) within the same town or city, often using high-speed fibre networks provided by Openreach or other carriers. It is also known as Short Haul Data Services.
National
Links sites across the UK, allowing businesses to build private WANs over the provider’s long-distance fibre infrastructure.
International
Extends connectivity to global sites or cloud platforms, either through international leased circuits or integration with global backbone providers.
Business Ethernet speeds
Business Ethernet supports a wide range of bandwidth options so you can choose the performance level that matches your operational needs. These speed tiers support everything from basic office tasks to highly demanding data workloads.
Here are the main Business Ethernet speed options.
| Speed tier | Typical performance | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Ethernet (up to 100 Mbps) | Suitable for essential connectivity and light data use | Small offices, VoIP, online payments, light file sharing |
| Gigabit Ethernet (up to 1 Gbps) | High-speed performance for modern business applications | VoIP business phone systems, video conferencing, cloud apps |
| 10/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet | Extremely high throughput and consistent latency | Large enterprises, data centres, and real-time platforms |
| Ultra high speed Ethernet (100 to 800 Gbps) | Advanced capacity for intensive data workloads | AI research, hyperscale data centres, and technical infrastructure |
Business Ethernet connection types
Business Ethernet can be delivered over different fibre types depending on your performance needs, the level of resilience required, and the infrastructure available at each site.
Some services use dedicated leased lines, while others implement Ethernet over shared fibre and copper links, such as a lower-cost alternative.
Here are the main connection types.
Dedicated Internet Access
Dedicated Internet Access is the standard way to deliver a Business Ethernet network. It uses a private full fibre circuit that provides uncontended bandwidth and symmetrical speeds.
This gives your sites a consistent and reliable connection that is supported by strict service level agreements and can scale with business growth
Ethernet over FTTP
Ethernet over FTTP delivers a Business Ethernet-style service over full fibre business broadband infrastructure. It offers strong performance but is contended and may not include the full guarantees of a dedicated leased line. It is suitable for smaller businesses building a wide area network with lighter connectivity demands.
Ethernet over FTTC
Ethernet over FTTC uses a mixture of fibre and copper lines similar to SoGEA business broadband. This option provides shared bandwidth and more limited performance, so it is typically used for small offices outside the full fibre network or basic site connectivity where heavy data use is not required.
Business Ethernet service levels
Business Ethernet can be delivered with different levels of management depending on how much control you want over your network. These service levels describe how much of the system the provider manages for you.
Here are the main service levels.
Layer 1: Infrastructure only
Layer 1 refers to the physical fibre connection. At this level, the provider installs and maintains the optical fibre link but does not manage any networking features above it.
Your organisation handles all equipment, routing and configuration.
This level is generally used in specialist or carrier-grade environments where full internal control is required.
Layer 2: Serviced
Layer 2 is the standard way Business Ethernet is delivered. The provider supplies a private and dedicated Ethernet connection between your sites and ensures the link remains stable.
Traffic is carried at the Ethernet level, but your internal IT team or managed service provider controls IP routing, traffic flows and how sites communicate with each other.
This setup suits most businesses that want a reliable private network with internal management flexibility.
Layer 3: Managed service
Layer 3 extends the service by adding provider-managed routing and network intelligence.
The provider controls routing between sites, prioritises specific types of traffic and applies optimisation and security features such as SD WAN solutions, cloud firewalls and network monitoring.
This level is ideal for multi-site organisations that want a fully managed wide area network without needing to operate routing or optimisation internally.